Please make plans to attend Academic Advisor Forums this semester. All sessions count toward the three hours needed for annual renewal of the Master Advisor designation. All interested advisors are welcome, so please encourage colleagues to participate. Registration is strongly encouraged.
Forum Schedule
Fall 2024 Academic Advisor Forum Series
Sessions coordinated by Ross Hawkins, Director, Academic Advising and Transfer Center
One hour of master advisor credit MUST be on a diverse topic. Sessions with a diversity component are identified with an * before and after title.
The Office of Admissions: From College Fairs to Commencement
Presenters: Matt Magruder, Director
Ben Metzger, Associate Director-Operations & Systems
Bart Tibbs, Assistant Director-Transfer Outreach & Recruitment
Sean Kliethermes, Assistant Director-Admissions Information
Kristin Roop, Assistant Director-Events, Outreach, & Recruitment
This session will provide attendees with an in-depth look at the Office of Admissions. The Office of Admissions will introduce key staff members and an overview of their roles. They will also discuss interactions with current and prospective students, campus partnerships, and ways the Office supports academic advising. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of what opportunities students have to experience Missouri State before their first semester, communication students receive before meeting with an advisor, and contact information for admissions-related questions.
Thursday, September 12, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Advising Reports: How to Use BCSSE Survey Data to Help First-Year Students
Presenter: Mary-Margaret Bohlen, Assessment and Accreditation Specialist, Institutional Effectiveness
Mark Woolsey, Director, Assessment and Accreditation, Institutional Effectiveness
Dr. Kelly Wood, Associate Provost, Student Success
During the summer SOAR sessions, incoming students are given the opportunity to complete the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE). This survey asks students about their high school experiences and their expectations for their time at Missouri State. The survey tool includes an Advising Report, which is a summary of information that may be helpful to advisors when they meet with students. These reports will be loaded into student Advising Notes. In this forum, we’d like to take the opportunity to walk advisors through the report, how they can best use it to support students, increase student success, and identify areas of potential concern.
Thursday, September 26, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
*Keys to Advising Language Students*
Presenter: Dr. Stephen Berkwitz, Department Head, Languages, Cultures, & Religions
Dr. Tonia Tinsley, Associate Professor, Languages, Cultures, & Religions
Melanie Kleeschulte, Instructor, Languages, Cultures, & Religions
This forum will present some key elements of how to advise students about world languages: we will discuss available languages at MSU and Foreign Language Institute and the structure of majors, minors, and certificates. We will pay special attention to placement and retroactive credit policies for students who come in with language backgrounds, and code words they might use (like Seal of Biliteracy). We will also examine the advantages of language-learning for students in different programs.
Wednesday, October 2, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Transfer Advising Essentials: What’s New?
Presenter: Ben Metzger, Associate Director-Operations & Systems, Admissions
Campbell Keele, Coordinator, Transfer Initiatives, Academic Advising & Transfer Center
Evonne Bird, Academic Advisor I, MCHHS Student Success & Advisement Center
Dylan Earnshaw, Senior Academic Advisor, CNAS Student Success Office
Kristen Thomas, Assistant Director-Professional Education Services, Education Advisement
Center
Alisa Trotter, Assistant Director, Business Advisement Center
Kimmy Walker, Director, Darr College of Agriculture Student Success & Advisement Center
This session is designed to provide attendees with information about exciting updates in academic advising at Missouri State. Updates will be shared on the Transfer Credit Reevaluations and Preapprovals (TCRP) System and National Transfer Student Week, as well as updates from campus advising centers.
Monday, October 21, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Managing Concerning Student Behavior
Presenters: Dr. Andrea Weber, Assistant VP Student Affairs/Dean of Students
Gabby Catlin, Director of Student Conduct, Dean of Students Office
Todd Revell, Associate Director, University Safety
Students are presenting more and more with concerning and unique behaviors. Explore the hidden aspects of student behavior that can pose threats. Learn to recognize early warning signs and implement effective strategies to ensure a safe campus environment.
Tuesday, October 22, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Location: Plaster Student Union, room 313
Fast-Track Futures: Advising for Accelerated Graduate Programs
Presenter: Dr. Carrisa Hoelscher, Associate Dean, Graduate College
Help your students unlock new opportunities with our accelerated graduate programs! Learn how to guide ambitious undergraduates through the seamless path to earning both a bachelor's and master’s degree in just five years. This forum will equip you with the knowledge, strategies, and resources to identify ideal accelerated graduate program candidates, navigate the application process, and support students throughout their journey.
Monday, December 2, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Location: Plaster Student Union, room 313
*Mindful of Neurodiversity*
Presenters: Dr. April Phillips, Director, Bear POWER
CW Tillman, Administrative Specialist II, Bear POWER
We will discuss what neurodiversity is, supports on campus, the Bear POWER program, and how to best support others that are neurodiverse. Tips and strategies that can help all!
Thursday, December 5, 12:00-1:00 p.m.